Adaptive trellis system

ABSTRACT

An adaptable trellis system is configured to be affixed to a structure and includes a plurality of spanning assemblies, at least one inboard assembly; and at least one outboard assembly. At least two of the spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly, and a portion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panel bay.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/427,454, filed on 29 Nov. 2016 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/427,467, filed on 29 Nov. 2016, their entire contentsof which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to trellis systems and, more particularly, toeasily-adaptable trellis systems.

BACKGROUND

Trellis systems are utilized on commercial buildings to provide variousfunctionality. For example, these trellis systems may be utilized toshield windows or entryways for sun, to provide protection from rain orsnow, or to provide visual appeal. Unfortunately, these trellis systemsare often constructed in a bespoke fashion, wherein each trellis systemis custom designed for a particular application. For example, variousportions of a trellis system may need to be custom configured to providesun protection functionality, while other portions of the trellis systemmay need to be custom configured to provide rain/snow protectionfunctionality, while other portions of the trellis system may need to becustom configured to provide neither protection functionality and maysimply provide aesthetic functionality.

Accordingly and due to the custom manner in which these trellis systemsare designed, the cost of manufacturing such systems and the lead timerequired for their manufacture are both increased. Further and as thesesystems are permanently configured when assembled, once they aredesigned and installed, they can no longer be changed or adapted.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Adaptable Trellis System

In one implementation, an adaptable trellis system is configured to beaffixed to a structure and includes a plurality of spanning assemblies;at least one inboard assembly; and at least one outboard assembly. Atleast two of the spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly,and a portion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panelbay.

One or more of the following features may be included. The adaptabletrellis system may include at least one tie-back assembly. The at leastone tie-back assembly may include an adjustable clevis system configuredto adjust the angle of the adaptable trellis system with respect to thestructure. The at least one infill panel bay may be configured toreceive an infill panel assembly. The infill panel assembly may includeone or more of: a full size infill panel assembly; a half size infillpanel assembly; and a quarter size infill panel assembly. The infillpanel assembly may include a sunshade infill panel assembly. Thesunshade infill panel assembly may include a plurality of sun blockingelements. The sunshade infill panel assembly may include one or moreflange assemblies configured to releasably engage one or more of thespanning assemblies, the inboard assembly and the outboard assembly. Theinfill panel assembly may include a rain/snow infill panel assembly. Therain/snow infill panel assembly may include a deflection surface. Therain/snow infill panel assembly may include one or more flangeassemblies configured to releasably engage one or more of the spanningassemblies, the inboard assembly and the outboard assembly.

In another implementation, an adaptable trellis system is configured tobe affixed to a structure and includes: a plurality of spanningassemblies; at least one inboard assembly; at least one outboardassembly; and at least one tie-back assembly. The at least one tie-backassembly includes an adjustable clevis system configured to adjust theangle of the adaptable trellis system with respect to the structure. Atleast two of the spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly,and a portion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panelbay.

One or more of the following features may be included. The at least oneinfill panel bay may be configured to receive an infill panel assembly.The infill panel assembly may include one or more of: a full size infillpanel assembly; a half size infill panel assembly; and a quarter sizeinfill panel assembly. The infill panel assembly may include a sunshadeinfill panel assembly. The sunshade infill panel assembly may include aplurality of sun blocking elements. The infill panel assembly mayinclude a rain/snow infill panel assembly. The rain/snow infill panelassembly may include a deflection surface.

In another implementation, an adaptable trellis system is configured tobe affixed to a structure and includes: a plurality of spanningassemblies; at least one inboard assembly; at least one outboardassembly; and at least one tie-back assembly. The at least one tie-backassembly includes an adjustable clevis system configured to adjust theangle of the adaptable trellis system with respect to the structure. Atleast two of the spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly,and a portion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panelbay/The at least one infill panel bay is configured to receive an infillpanel assembly. The infill panel assembly includes one or more of: afull size infill panel assembly; a half size infill panel assembly; anda quarter size infill panel assembly.

One or more of the following features may be included. The infill panelassembly may include a sunshade infill panel assembly. The infill panelassembly may include a rain/snow infill panel assembly.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptable trellis system accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic view of a sunshade infill panel assembly foruse within the adaptable trellis system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic view of a rain/snow infill panel assembly foruse within the adaptable trellis system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a tie-back assembly for use with theadaptable trellis system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an adjustable clevis system for use withthe tie-back assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the adjustable clevis system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a top view of the adjustable clevis system of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable clevis system ofFIG. 4.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

System Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown adaptable trellis system 10 that maybe configured to be attached to a structure (e.g., structure 12).Examples of structure 12 may include but are not limited to residentialstructures and commercial structures. Further, adaptable trellis system10 may be configure to be positioned proximate various portions ofstructure 12, examples of which may include but are not limited to:windows (e.g., window 14); entryways (not shown); stair systems (notshown), electrical systems (not shown); mechanical systems (not shown);and other systems for which shielding from the elements may bedesirable.

Adaptable trellis system 10 may include inboard assembly 16 (whereininboard assembly 16 may be rigidly affixed to structure 12) and outboardassembly 18 (wherein outboard assembly 18 may be spaced away frominboard assembly 16 by a plurality of spanning assemblies (e.g.,spanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32). While FIG. 1 is shownto include seven spanning assemblies (e.g., spanning assemblies 20, 22,24, 26, 28, 30, 32), this is for illustrative purposes only and is notintended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurationsare possible and are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, the number of spanning assemblies may beincreased or decreased depending upon the size and design criteria ofadaptable trellis sy stem 10.

The spanning assemblies (e.g., spanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, 32), inboard assembly 16 and/or outboard assembly 18 may beconstructed of various types of components, examples of which mayinclude but are not limited to round tube, square tube and rectangulartube materials formed of various materials, such as metal (e.g.,aluminum or steel) or plastic (e.g., ABS, fiberglass or carbon fibercomposite).

The spanning assemblies (e.g., spanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, 32) in combination with portions of inboard assembly 16 and outboardassembly 18 may form a plurality of infill panel bays into which variousinfill panels may be placed. For example:

-   -   spanning assemblies 20, 22, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 34;    -   spanning assemblies 22, 24, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 36;    -   spanning assemblies 24, 26, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 38;    -   spanning assemblies 26, 28, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 40;    -   spanning assemblies 28, 30, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 42;        and    -   spanning assemblies 30, 32, a portion of inboard assembly 16 and        a portion of outboard assembly 18 may form infill panel bay 44.

Adaptable trellis system 10 may be supported by one or more tie-backassemblies (e.g., tie-back assemblies 46, 48, 50). While FIG. 1 is shownto include three tie-back assemblies (e.g., tie-back assemblies 46, 48,50), this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be alimitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible andare considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example,the number of tie-back assemblies may be increased or decreaseddepending upon the size and design criteria of adaptable trellis system10.

Each of tie-back assemblies 46, 48, 50 may include an adjustable clevissystem (e.g., adjustable clevis system 52, 54, 56, respectively) thatmay effectuate the coupling of a first distal end of the tie-backassemblies to one of the spanning assemblies (e.g., spanning assemblies22, 26, 30, respectively) or to outboard assembly 18 of adaptabletrellis system 10. A second distal end of each of tie-back assemblies46, 48, 50 may be coupled to a bracket assembly (e.g., bracket assembly58, 60, 62) that is rigidly affixed to structure 12.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A-2B, there are shown various and illustrativeexamples of infill panel assemblies that may be releasably positionablewithin one or more of the infill panel bays (e.g., infill panel bays 34,36, 38, 40, 42, 44), wherein infill panel bays 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44may come in standardized sizes. For example, certain infill panel bays(e.g., infill panel bays 38, 40) may be full size infill panel bays(configured to receive full size infill panel assemblies), while otherinfill panel bays (e.g., infill panel bays 36, 42) may be half sizeinfill panel bays (configured to receive half size infill panelassemblies), and other infill panel bays (e.g., infill panel bays 34,44) may be quarter size infill panel bays (configured to receive quartersize infill panel assemblies).

Specifically referring to FIG. 2A, there is shown sunshade infill panelassembly 100 that may be sized to be releasably received within one ormore of the full size infill panel bays (e.g., infill panel bays 38,40), one or more of the half size infill panel bays (e.g., infill panelbays 36, 42), or one or more of the quarter size infill panel bays(e.g., infill panel bays 34, 44).

Sunshade infill panel assembly 100 may include a plurality of sunblocking elements (e.g., sun blocking elements 102, 104, 106, 108, 110,112) that may be angled with respect to (and fastened to) connectorassemblies 114, 116. Connector assemblies 114, 116 may include flangeassemblies 118, 120 (respectively) that may be configured to releasablyengage corresponding surfaces (e.g., an upper surface of one or more ofspanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, inboard assembly 16and/or outboard assembly 18). Sunshade infill panel assembly 100 may beconstructed of various materials, such as metal (e.g., aluminum orsteel) or plastic (e.g., ABS, fiberglass or carbon fiber composite).

Specifically referring to FIG. 2B, there is shown rain/snow infill panelassembly 150 that may be sized to be releasably received within one ormore of the full size infill panel bays (e.g., infill panel bays 38,40), one or more of the half size infill panel bays (e.g., infill panelbays 36, 42), or one or more of the quarter size infill panel bays(e.g., infill panel bays 34, 44).

Rain/snow infill panel assembly 150 may include a deflection surface(e.g., deflection surface 152) that may be angled (e.g., at angle 154)so as to direct rain water and/or snow melt toward drip edge 156. Whilein this particular implementation, drip edge 156 is shown to direct therain water and/or snow melt toward outboard assembly 18, this is forillustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation ofthis disclosure, as other configurations are possible and are consideredto be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, drip edge 156may also be positioned proximate inboard assembly 16. Regardless of theposition (inboard or outboard) of drip edge 156, the rain water and/orthe snow melt may be directed toward a gutter system (not shown) thatmay be configured to collect the rain water and/or snow melt and directthe same toward a downspout system (not shown) that directs the wateraway from structure 12.

Rain/snow infill panel assembly 150 may include flange assemblies 158,160 that may be configured to releasably engage corresponding surfaces(e.g., an upper surface of one or more of spanning assemblies 20, 22,24, 26, 28, 30, 32, inboard assembly 16 and/or outboard assembly 18).Rain/snow infill panel assembly 150 may be constructed of variousmaterials, such as metal (e.g., aluminum or steel) or plastic (e.g.,ABS, fiberglass or carbon fiber composite).

Other examples of infill panel assemblies that may be releasablypositionable within one or more of the infill panel bays (e.g., infillpanel bays 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) may include but are not limited tosolid infill panel assemblies (not shown) that are designed to preventthe passage of light through the infill panel bay, and perforated infillpanel assemblies (not shown) that are designed to allow the passage ofsome light through the infill panel bay.

As discussed above, adaptable trellis system 10 may be supported by oneor more tie-back assemblies (e.g., tie-back assemblies 46, 48, 50),wherein each of tie-back assemblies 46, 48, 50 may include an adjustableclevis system (e.g., adjustable clevis system 52, 54, 56, respectively).Referring also to FIGS. 3-4, there is shown an isometric view of such anadjustable clevis system. While in this particular example, adjustableclevis system 52 is discussed, it is understood that the followingillustrative example may concern any of adjustable clevis systems 52,54, 56.

Referring also to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, there is shown a side view of theadjustable clevis system 52 (in FIG. 5A), a top view of adjustableclevis system 52 (in FIG. 5B), and a cross-sectional view of adjustableclevis system 52 (in FIG. 5C).

Adjustable clevis system 52 may include body assembly 200, which may beconstructed out of various materials, such as metal (e.g., aluminum orsteel) or plastic (e.g., ABS, fiberglass or carbon fiber composite).Body assembly 200 may include passage 202 through which a pin assemblyor a bolt assembly (e.g., fastener assembly 204) may be utilized toreleasable couple adjustable clevis system 52 to a bracket assembly (notshown) coupled to one or more of spanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, 32 or outboard assembly 18. Body assembly 200 may further includeslot assembly 206 configured to receive the bracket assembly (not shown)coupled to one or more of spanning assemblies 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32or outboard assembly 18.

Adjustable clevis system 52 may include bolt assembly 208 that isconfigured to pass through and extend out of body assembly 202. Boltassembly 208 may be constructed out of various materials, such asstainless steel. Body assembly 202 may include passage 210 that may bepositioned along a longitudinal axis of body assembly 202 and configuredto receive bolt assembly 208. Passage 210 may include a recessconfigured to receive a head assembly head (e.g., head assembly 212) ofbolt assembly 208. An example of bolt assembly 208 may include but isnot limited to an Allen bolt assembly and head assembly 212 may beconfigured to receive an Allen key or Allen driver. Bolt assembly 208may be rotatably positioned with respect to body assembly 202 vialocking nut assembly 214. Examples of locking nut assembly 214 mayinclude but are not limited to: a nylon insert locknut assembly; adouble nut locking assembly; and a castle nut assembly that may belocked into position via a cotter pin assembly (e.g., cotter pinassembly 216).

Bolt assembly 208 may be configured to threadably engage tie-backassembly 46. Through the use of locking nut assembly 214, bolt assembly208 may be rotated with respect to body assembly 202, thus allowing boltassembly 208 to be threaded into (or threaded out of) tie-back assembly46, thus shortening (or lengthening) the overall length of tie-backassembly 46 and allowing the angle of adaptable trellis system 10 (withrespect to structure 12) to be adjusted i.e., from sloping away fromstructure 12, through being perpendicular to structure 12, to slopingtoward structure 12. Once adaptable trellis system 10 is properlypositioned (i.e., angled) with respect to structure 12, this angle maybe locked in by tightening jamb nut 218 (which is threaded onto boltassembly 202) against tie-back assembly 46.

General:

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

A number of implementations have been described. Having thus describedthe disclosure of the present application in detail and by reference toembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of thedisclosure defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adaptable trellis system, configured to beaffixed to a structure, comprising: a plurality of spanning assemblies;at least one inboard assembly; and at least one outboard assembly;wherein at least two of the spanning assemblies, a portion of theinboard assembly, and a portion of the outboard assembly form at leastone infill panel bay.
 2. The adaptable trellis system of claim 1 furthercomprising: at least one tie-back assembly.
 3. The adaptable trellissystem of claim 2 wherein the at least one tie-back assembly includes:an adjustable clevis system configured to adjust the angle of theadaptable trellis system with respect to the structure.
 4. The adaptabletrellis system of claim 1 wherein the at least one infill panel bay isconfigured to receive an infill panel assembly.
 5. The adaptable trellissystem of claim 4 wherein the infill panel assembly includes one or moreof: a full size infill panel assembly; a half size infill panelassembly; and a quarter size infill panel assembly.
 6. The adaptabletrellis system of claim 4 wherein the infill panel assembly includes: asunshade infill panel assembly.
 7. The adaptable trellis system of claim6 wherein the sunshade infill panel assembly includes: a plurality ofsun blocking elements.
 8. The adaptable trellis system of claim 6wherein the sunshade infill panel assembly includes: one or more flangeassemblies configured to releasably engage one or more of the spanningassemblies, the inboard assembly and the outboard assembly.
 9. Theadaptable trellis system of claim 4 wherein the infill panel assemblyincludes: a rain/snow infill panel assembly.
 10. The adaptable trellissystem of claim 9 wherein the rain/snow infill panel assembly includes:a deflection surface.
 11. The adaptable trellis system of claim 9wherein the rain/snow infill panel assembly includes: one or more flangeassemblies configured to releasably engage one or more of the spanningassemblies, the inboard assembly and the outboard assembly.
 12. Anadaptable trellis system, configured to be affixed to a structure,comprising: a plurality of spanning assemblies; at least one inboardassembly; at least one outboard assembly; and at least one tie-backassembly, wherein the at least one tie-back assembly includes anadjustable clevis system configured to adjust the angle of the adaptabletrellis system with respect to the structure; wherein at least two ofthe spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly, and aportion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panel bay. 13.The adaptable trellis system of claim 12 wherein the at least one infillpanel bay is configured to receive an infill panel assembly.
 14. Theadaptable trellis system of claim 13 wherein the infill panel assemblyincludes one or more of: a full size infill panel assembly; a half sizeinfill panel assembly; and a quarter size infill panel assembly.
 15. Theadaptable trellis system of claim 13 wherein the infill panel assemblyincludes: a sunshade infill panel assembly.
 16. The adaptable trellissystem of claim 15 wherein the sunshade infill panel assembly includes:a plurality of sun blocking elements.
 17. The adaptable trellis systemof claim 13 wherein the infill panel assembly includes: a rain/snowinfill panel assembly.
 18. The adaptable trellis system of claim 17wherein the rain/snow infill panel assembly includes: a deflectionsurface.
 19. An adaptable trellis system, configured to be affixed to astructure, comprising: a plurality of spanning assemblies; at least oneinboard assembly; at least one outboard assembly; and at least onetie-back assembly, wherein the at least one tie-back assembly includesan adjustable clevis system configured to adjust the angle of theadaptable trellis system with respect to the structure; wherein at leasttwo of the spanning assemblies, a portion of the inboard assembly, and aportion of the outboard assembly form at least one infill panel bay;wherein the at least one infill panel bay is configured to receive aninfill panel assembly; and wherein the infill panel assembly includesone or more of: a full size infill panel assembly; a half size infillpanel assembly; and a quarter size infill panel assembly.
 20. Theadaptable trellis system of claim 19 wherein the infill panel assemblyincludes: a sunshade infill panel assembly.
 21. The adaptable trellissystem of claim 19 wherein the infill panel assembly includes: arain/snow infill panel assembly.